This program allows me as a teacher to totally differentiate my instruction in a self-contained, collaborative-model classroom. I have a group of 25 students, nine with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and five gifted and talented. The remainder of my students are a heterogeneous mix that are on level or one to two grade levels below in math. I use ALEKS to supplement my textbook's lessons. My students, on average, made a year's growth in a year's time and outperformed peers in traditional classrooms.

Scenario

How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS? 4 days per week.

What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used? 25 minutes.

Implementation

Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order? No.

How do you structure your class period with ALEKS? We teach whole group math using our textbook for 30 minutes. Then, we break into small groups based on the needs of the students, and rotate groups using ALEKS math as a rotation.

How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS? I allow students who are independent learners to work at their own pace. Once they demonstrate their mastery of the daily lesson, they are able to use ALEKS to extend their learning.

How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home? Daily!

How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS? I introduced ALEKS during a curriculum night and then their kids did the rest.

Grading

Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of the total homework load is it? I don't assign ALEKS as homework because not all students have home computers or Internet access.

How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system? I did not incorporate ALEKS into the grading system this year.

Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS? Not this year, but I will do so when I use the program again.

Learning Outcomes

Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen. In this self-contained, collaborative classroom with a one-on-one environment, my students with IEPs and traditional students out-performed their peers in traditional classrooms. Students totally embrace being able to work at their own pace and select the content that they want to work on. They naturally completed the content that they were familiar with first, but then worked diligently in areas that were not as easy. All in all, the online experience was a total success. The students loved filling in their pies and experienced true success in math.

Best Practices

Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS? Give ALEKS to the students and they will show you how to best use the program.